A Discussion on Shock Bark Collars
Why Are Shock Collars Used?
Shock collars, also known as dog training collars, e-collars, or electronic collars, are used to stop your dog from an unwanted behavior by emitting a shock to their throat. This behavior could be obsessive barking, showing aggression, or leaving a specified territory like a person’s yard.
The idea behind these shock bark collars is that your dog will associate the beeping with a shock and will avoid the behavior to prevent being shocked. The collars will typically have a warning beep first or have a range of shocks, starting with barely noticeable to painful.
The Pros and Cons of Using a Shock Collar
Although there has been much controversy over the use of bark collars, some people swear by them. A couple of the benefits that people mention about using bark shock collars for dogs are that they can be used from a distance, for dogs who do not respond well to verbal commands, and they can be used without the dog associating the punishment with you. But, what does this mean?
When you use a dog training collar in combination with an electric fence, you can shut down those aggressive behaviors, like barking and running away, when you are not around. You do not have to be near your dog in order for the device to work since most models are completely automatic. In the same way, you can use a remote control to give your dog a gentle shock, and by doing so, they won’t associate you with that negative feedback.
However, there are also many drawbacks of these shock bark collars to be aware of. The first, and most common issue, is that it is possible that your dog won’t associate his bad behavior with the shock. This will make the collar completely useless and is not something that can easily be fixed. The collar can also make the situation worse, especially if your dog’s unwanted behavior is stemming from fear. More often than not, if you use a shock collar on a fearful dog it will make the fear worse or switch into aggression. Some brands of shock collars have had problems with shocking the dogs without cause or more than needed. Not only is that inhumane, but your dog will get easily frustrated and confused.
It has been scientifically proven that the most effective way to train your dog is through positive reinforcement training. Positive reinforcement training is focusing on rewarding your dog for desired behavior and not punishing them for the opposite.
Lastly, it’s important to realize that while a shock collar might suppress the undesirable behavior, it doesn’t address the underlying problem. You should properly identify the cause of the problem and go from there. Is your dog getting enough exercise and stimulation? Are they getting enough socialization? By identifying the behavior and using more humane training methods, you are much more likely to have a well-trained and happy dog. With these shock bark collars, the potential for things to go wrong is high and you’re not always in control of the negative feedback your dog receives.
The Better Alternative
You can always work with a professional dog trainer to work through your dog’s behavior problems. This is a more effective training method for aggressive or unwanted behavior. You can also try our humane and effective product BARKMUTE™. BARKMUTE™ really reduces barking, without causing your dog to feel painful or distressful. Combining the beep sound and vibration in one unit makes it possible to correct the barking habit effectively, and there is no harm to your beloved dogs. Starting with a warning noise, the collar increases the duration of its vibration until your dog stops barking for thirty seconds. This increasing deterrent is the most effective method of electronic bark correction for small and medium dog breeds.
We do not believe in harming your dog to get the type of behavior you are looking for. Using the BARKMUTE™ in combination with appropriate training is a much more humane and effective way to train your dog. For more information, check out our products page on our website or give us a call. We’d be happy to help you take the first step to train your dog the humane way.
